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Turkish authorities have arrested nine people over an explosion that killed 18 workers at the HABAS steel plant in Izmir's industrial district of Aliaga, while releasing two other suspects, including the company's board chairman, under house arrest as the criminal investigation advances.
The 11 suspects were taken to court on Wednesday after questioning by gendarmerie forces. A criminal court ordered nine of them remanded in custody, while the remaining two were released under judicial supervision requiring them to stay at home, according to the Aliaga Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
The suspects include HABAS Chairman Mehmet Rustu Basaran, who was placed under house arrest, along with other company executives, factory managers and technical personnel.
The blast occurred during maintenance on an electric arc furnace after a ceiling crane reportedly collapsed, sending materials into the furnace and damaging a natural gas pipeline, İzmir Governor Suleyman Elban said.
Around 200 workers were at the facility at the time, compared with more than 300 during regular shifts.
The Menemen Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation, assigning four prosecutors to the case, while production at the plant was suspended.
The Labor and Social Security Ministry also dispatched inspectors, with Minister Vedat Isikhan confirming that a chief inspector was assigned to examine the accident.
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said the furnace underwent routine maintenance every two weeks. Investigators are examining the crane collapse, maintenance procedures and possible workplace safety failures.
The accident took place at a major industrial complex operated by HABAS, a privately owned Turkish conglomerate established in 1956 by industrialist Hamdi Basaran.
HABAS's steel plant in Aliaga began operations in 1987 and has undergone several modernization and capacity expansion projects.
The company lists its annual liquid steel production capacity at 4.5 million metric tons, making it one of Türkiye's major steel producers.
The integrated facility covers several stages of steel production, including steelmaking, casting, billet production, and rolling. Its infrastructure also includes a wire rod rolling mill, two bar rolling mills and a hot strip mill.
A seaport located around 7 kilometers from the facility supports its logistics operations.
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